As the college football calendar flips toward 2026, UCF and head coach Scott Frost are staring down a critical stretch in the transfer portal. The window officially opens January 2, and while the Knights aren’t in rebuild-from-scratch mode like they were a year ago, there’s still a long to-do list if they want to bounce back from a 5-7 season and make that coveted Year 2 leap.
We’ve seen it happen before. In 2025 alone, Big 12 coaches like Willie Fritz (Houston), Brent Brennan (Arizona), and Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State) turned four-win seasons into 9-, 10-, and even 11-win campaigns.
The common thread? Hitting big in the portal - especially at quarterback.
Frost and his staff are hoping to follow that blueprint, and they’ve got five major areas to address if they’re going to pull it off.
1. Find a Starting Quarterback - And Get It Right This Time
Let’s be honest: UCF’s quarterback play in 2025 simply wasn’t good enough. The Knights brought in Tayven Jackson and Cam Fancher from the portal, hoping to find a reliable starter. Neither panned out.
Jackson struggled throughout the season, finishing 12th in the Big 12 in both passing efficiency and yards per game. He also ranked 15th in yards per completion - not exactly the deep-ball threat UCF fans were hoping for.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly slotted him 63rd out of 68 Power 4 quarterbacks. He’s now expected to enter the portal again.
Fancher, who won the job out of camp, battled injuries and only saw action in three games. He completed just under 57% of his passes for 333 yards and is reportedly trying to secure another year of eligibility. If he gets it, a return isn’t off the table - but it’s clear UCF needs more at the position.
So where does that leave them? The staff will have to decide if true freshmen Rocco Marriott or Dante Carr are ready to take meaningful snaps in 2026. If not, expect UCF to be active - and aggressive - in the portal.
Two names to watch: Missouri’s Beau Pribula and Iowa State’s Rocco Becht. Pribula, a former Penn State backup, was reportedly Frost’s top QB target last cycle before he landed in Columbia. Becht, a Tampa native and son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht (who just so happens to be coaching in Orlando this spring), could be a natural fit if the stars align.
Top-tier QBs don’t come cheap. Industry estimates suggest experienced starters are commanding between $1-2 million in NIL compensation. UCF may look for a veteran who can serve as a bridge to Marriott or Carr, but regardless of the price tag, the goal is clear: Upgrade the most important position on the field.
2. Rebuild the Offensive Line - Again
UCF’s offensive line is in reset mode. The unit loses six veterans who played meaningful snaps in 2025, and with that kind of turnover, there’s no time to ease into a rebuild.
Enter new offensive line coach AJ Blazek, who arrives from Wisconsin and takes over a group that needs immediate reinforcements. Blazek replaces Shawn Clark, who tragically passed away in September, and inherits a tall task: build a cohesive, competitive line almost entirely through the portal.
The market isn’t cheap. According to national estimates, Power 4 offensive tackles are pulling in between $500,000 and $1 million, while guards and centers typically range from $300,000 to $700,000. UCF will be looking for plug-and-play guys who can elevate a line that was average at best in 2025.
This isn’t just about filling holes - it’s about setting the tone for the entire offense. If the Knights want to run Frost’s system effectively, it starts up front.
3. Add Depth and Experience at Running Back
The backfield is looking thin. With Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon graduating, and Stacy Gage hitting the portal, UCF is down to five scholarship running backs - most of whom are either true or redshirt freshmen. The only upperclassman is Agyeman Addae, a former walk-on.
Taevion Swint might be the most talented back on the roster, but he missed the entire 2025 season with a meniscus injury. Gage, who was also sidelined, never got the chance to prove himself. Those injuries were a major storyline last season, and they leave the Knights in need of a proven, durable back who can complement Swint and stabilize the position.
One player to keep an eye on is Bryan Jackson from USC, who has been linked to UCF along with Wisconsin and Boston College. Running backs are typically valued in the $300,000 to $700,000 range in the portal, and the Knights may need to invest if they want a back who can contribute immediately.
4. Reinforce the Defensive Line - Especially at Tackle
UCF’s defensive front was arguably the strength of the team in 2025. But that unit has been gutted.
Five defensive tackles - including John Walker and Rodney Lora - are in the portal. That leaves just five remaining, with Horace Lockett being the most experienced.
Lockett played only four games last season before suffering a torn pectoral muscle.
The edge rusher situation isn’t much better. Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly, who both earned Big 12 honors, are gone. That’s a massive hit to a unit that had been one of the more consistent parts of the defense.
Defensive tackles are fetching between $300,000 and $800,000 in the portal, while edge rushers can command up to $1 million. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, along with position coaches Kenny Martin and Mike Dawson, will need to get creative and aggressive to restock the trenches.
This is a position group where UCF can’t afford to miss. If the Knights want to get back to being disruptive up front, they’ll need to land multiple impact players - and fast.
5. Add a True No. 1 Wide Receiver
Wide receiver was a question mark heading into 2025, and it remains one now. UCF had to replace all of its production from the 2024 season, and while a few players stepped up, no one emerged as a true top option.
Duane Thomas Jr. led the team with 53 catches for 528 yards, and Waden Charles showed flashes, but the offense lacked a go-to guy on the outside. Some of that falls on the quarterbacks, sure - but the receiver room needs an infusion of proven playmaking talent.
Frost and WR coach Sean Beckton are expected to explore the portal for at least one or two experienced wideouts. The going rate for a quality receiver ranges from $400,000 to $800,000, and UCF will be looking for someone who can stretch the field and create after the catch.
The Bottom Line
The next few weeks in the portal could define UCF’s 2026 season. The Knights don’t need a full roster overhaul like last year, but they do need to hit on key positions - especially quarterback, offensive line, and defensive tackle - if they want to climb the Big 12 standings.
Frost has seen how quickly things can turn around in this league with the right portal moves. Now it’s his turn to make it happen.
The transfer portal opens January 2 and closes January 16. Let the offseason chess match begin.